title: Prevalence and determinants of obesity among primary school children in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Childhood obesity has increased dramatically and has become a public health concern worldwide. Childhood obesity is likely to persist through adulthood and may lead to early onset of NCDs. However, there is paucity of data on obesity among primary school children in Tanzania. This study assessed the prevalence and determinants of obesity among primary school children in Dar es Salaam.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional study was conducted among school age children in randomly selected schools in Dar es Salaam. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were taken using standard procedures. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters (kg/m2). Child obesity was defined as BMI at or above 95th percentile for age and sex. Socio-demographic characteristics of children were determined using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to determine association between independent variables with obesity among primary school children in Dar es Salaam.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 446 children were included in the analysis. The mean age of the participants was 11.1±2.0 years and 53.1% were girls. The mean BMI, SBP and DBP were 16.6±4.0 kg/m2, 103.9±10.3mmHg and 65.6±8.2mmHg respectively. The overall prevalence of child obesity was 5.2% and was higher among girls (6.3%) compared to boys (3.8%). Obese children had significantly higher mean values for age (p=0.042), systolic and diastolic blood pressures (all p<0.001). Most obese children were from households with fewer children (p=0.019) and residing in urban areas (p=0.002). Controlling for other variables, age above 10 years (AOR=3.3, 95% CI=1.5-7.2), female sex (AOR=2.6, 95% CI=1.4-4.9), urban residence (AOR=2.5, 95% CI=1.2-5.3) and having money to spend at school (AOR=2.6, 95% CI=1.4-4.8) were significantly associated with child obesity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of childhood obesity in this population was found to be low. However, children from urban schools and girls were proportionately more obese compared to their counterparts. Primary preventive measures for childhood obesity should start early in childhood and address socioeconomic factors of parents contributing to childhood obesity.
authors.affiliation: Africa Academy for Public Health, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. selukundo@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alfa J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Muhihi
authors.forename: Rose N M
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Mpembeni
authors.forename: Marina A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Njelekela
authors.forename: Amani
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anaeli
authors.forename: Omary
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Chillo
authors.forename: Sulende
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kubhoja
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lujani
authors.forename: Mwanamkuu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maghembe
authors.forename: Davis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ngarashi